Maryland is suing the company that produces the waterproof material Gore-Tex often used for raincoats and other outdoor gear, alleging its leaders kept using “forever chemicals” long after learning about serious health risks associated with them. The complaint, which was filed last week in federal court, focuses on a cluster of 13 facilities in northeastern Maryland operated by Delaware-based W.L. Gore & Associates. It alleges the company polluted the air and water around its facilities with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances , jeopardizing the health of surrounding communities while raking in profits. The lawsuit adds to other claims filed in recent years, including a class action on behalf of Cecil County residents in 2023 demanding Gore foot the bill for water filtration systems, medical bills and other damages associated with decades of harmful pollution in the largely rural community. “PFAS are linked to cancer, weakened immune systems, and can even harm the ability to bear children,” Maryland Attorney General Anthony Brown said in a statement. “It is unacceptable for any company to knowingly contaminate our drinking water with these toxins, putting Marylanders at risk of severe health conditions.” Gore spokesperson Donna Leinwand Leger said the company is “surprised by the Maryland Attorney General’s decision to initiate legal action, particularly in light of our proactive and intensive engagement with state regulators over the past two years.” “We have been working with Maryland, employing the most current, reliable science and technology to assess the potential impact of our operations and guide our ongoing, collaborative efforts to protect the environment,” the company said in a statement, noting a Dec. 18 report that contains nearly two years of groundwater testing results. But attorney Philip Federico, who represents plaintiffs in the class action and other lawsuits against Gore, called the company’s efforts “too little, much too late.” In the meantime, he said, residents are continuing to suffer — one of his clients was recently diagnosed with kidney cancer. “It’s typical corporate environmental contamination,” he said. “They’re in no hurry to fix the problem.” The synthetic chemicals are especially harmful because they’re nearly indestructible and can build up in various environments, including the human body. In addition to cancers and immune system problems, exposure to certain levels of PFAS has been linked to increased cholesterol levels, reproductive health issues and developmental delays in children, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Gore leaders failed to warn people living near its Maryland facilities about the potential impacts, hoping to protect their corporate image and avoid liability, according to the state’s lawsuit. The result has been “a toxic legacy for generations to come,” the lawsuit alleges. Since the chemicals are already in the local environment, protecting residents now often means installing complex and expensive water filtration systems. People with private wells have found highly elevated levels of dangerous chemicals in their water, according to the class action lawsuit. The Maryland facilities are located in a rural area just across the border from Delaware, where Gore has become a longtime fixture in the community. The company, which today employs more than 13,000 people, was founded in 1958 after Wilbert Gore left the chemical giant DuPont to start his own business. Its profile rose with the development of Gore-Tex , a lightweight waterproof material created by stretching polytetrafluoroethylene, which is better known by the brand name Teflon that’s used to coat nonstick pans. The membrane within Gore-Tex fabric has billions of pores that are smaller than water droplets, making it especially effective for outdoor gear. The state’s complaint traces Gore’s longstanding relationship with DuPont , arguing that information about the chemicals' dangers was long known within both companies as they sought to keep things quiet and boost profits. It alleges that as early as 1961, DuPont scientists knew the chemical caused adverse liver reactions in rats and dogs. DuPont has faced widespread litigation in recent years. Along with two spinoff companies, it announced a $1.18 billion deal last year to resolve complaints of polluting many U.S. drinking water systems with forever chemicals. The Maryland lawsuit seeks to hold Gore responsible for costs associated with the state’s ongoing investigations and cleanup efforts, among other damages. State oversight has ramped up following litigation from residents alleging their drinking water was contaminated. Until then, the company operated in Cecil County with little scrutiny. Gore announced in 2014 that it had eliminated perfluorooctanoic acid from the raw materials used to create Gore-Tex. But it’s still causing long-term impacts because it persists for so long in the environment, attorneys say. Over the past two years, Gore has hired an environmental consulting firm to conduct testing in the area and provided bottled water and water filtration systems to residents near certain Maryland facilities, according to a webpage describing its efforts. Recent testing of drinking water at residences near certain Gore sites revealed perfluorooctanoic acid levels well above what the EPA considers safe, according to state officials. Attorneys for the state acknowledged Gore’s ongoing efforts to investigate and address the problem but said the company needs to step up and be a better neighbor. “While we appreciate Gore’s limited investigation to ascertain the extent of PFAS contamination around its facilities, much more needs to be done to protect the community and the health of residents,” Maryland Department of the Environment Secretary Serena McIlwain said in a statement. “We must remove these forever chemicals from our natural resources urgently, and we expect responsible parties to pay for this remediation.”

Richard Parsons, prominent executive who led Time Warner and Citigroup, dies at 7625 to watch in 2025

Amazon, the e-commerce giant known for its vast ecosystem of third-party sellers, has recently announced a strategic partnership with Intuit, the software company behind QuickBooks, to offer QuickBooks Online accounting software to millions of Amazon sellers. The collaboration aims to streamline financial management for third-party sellers on the Amazon platform, enabling them to better track their sales, expenses, and profits with ease and efficiency.

President-elect Donald Trump has nominated his son-in-law Jared Kushner's father, Charles Kushner, for a major diplomatic position as he gears up to assume office in January 2025. Trump, 78, announced on Saturday afternoon that pending Senate approval, Charles Kushner would be appointed as the United States Ambassador to France. Jared Kushner and his wife Ivanka Trump, the former president's daughter, have decided to stepped back from active roles during this election cycle and upcoming administration, choosing instead to concentrate on their personal goals and family life in Florida. Trump also highlighted during his announcement some of Charles's major achievements, such as founding Kushner Companies, a privately held real estate enterprise. Trump's Special Gift to Son-in-Law "He is a tremendous business leader, philanthropist, [and] dealmaker, who will be a strong advocate representing our Country & its interests," the former president wrote on Truth Social. "Congratulations to Charlie, his wonderful wife Seryl, their 4 children, & 14 grandchildren," the family-first politician wrote. "Together, we will strengthen America's partnership with France, our oldest Ally, & one of our greatest!" Jared Kushner previously played a key role in the Trump administration, contributing to initiatives such as Operation Warp Speed, criminal justice reform, and the Abraham Accords. Charles Kushner, Jared's father and the son of a Holocaust survivor, was one of 26 people granted a full pardon by Trump during his presidency. Charles had been embroiled in a federal investigation stemming from a family dispute with his business partner, Murray, over campaign contributions. Investigators later uncovered that Charles had defrauded the IRS of amounts ranging from $200,000 to $325,000 by falsely categorizing campaign donations as "office expenses" on 16 tax returns, according to NJ.com. A prominent fundraiser, Charles organized events supporting political figures like President Bill Clinton, Vice President Al Gore, and Senator Joseph Lieberman. He also backed Governor James McGreevey, becoming the largest donor to McGreevey's 2001 campaign. Charles Kushner on a New Role However, his legal troubles escalated with a witness tampering charge. Charles paid $25,000 to hire a prostitute to seduce his brother-in-law, recording the encounter and sending the footage to his sister as retaliation, NJ.com reported. This charge was among 18 counts to which Charles pled guilty in 2005. At the time, then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie condemned Charles' actions, calling them "some of the most loathsome, disgusting crimes" he had ever prosecuted. Christie said, "No matter how rich and powerful you are or poor and unpowerful, if you have violated the federal law in the district of New Jersey or if you are corrupting our political system, this office will bring you to justice. "Today, Charles Kushner was brought to justice." Charles Kushner, a 1976 graduate of New York University, earned both an MBA and a law degree before embarking on a successful career. He practiced law for four years before partnering with his father and brother-in-law to establish a real estate business. Under their leadership, the business grew to amass a portfolio valued at over $3 billion, spanning properties in New Jersey and beyond. When granting Charles a pardon, Trump commended him for his dedication to numerous charitable organizations and causes, highlighting his philanthropic contributions following the completion of his prison sentence in 2006.Pregnant Charlotte Crosby suffers more heartbreak as beloved grandma dies on Boxing Day

Despite the challenges and controversies she faces, Xuan Xuan's loyal fanbase has rallied around her, offering words of encouragement and understanding during this difficult time. Messages of support and well wishes have flooded her social media accounts, demonstrating the strong bond she has forged with her followers.

Overall, the partnership between Amazon and Intuit to provide QuickBooks Online to millions of third-party sellers represents a significant step towards enhancing the financial health and sustainability of sellers on the Amazon platform. By leveraging the power of cloud-based accounting software and e-commerce integration, sellers will have the tools they need to thrive in an increasingly competitive online marketplace.As the trade tensions between Canada and the United States continue to escalate, it is clear that Prime Minister is not backing down in the face of adversity. He is determined to defend Canada's interests, stand up for Canadian businesses and workers, and uphold the principles of fair and free trade. With a multi-faceted response strategy in place, Canada is well-positioned to navigate the challenges posed by the tariffs and emerge stronger from this trade dispute.

The second signal that has added to the sense of unease in the A-share market is the growing concerns over regulatory changes and policy uncertainties. Recent announcements by regulatory authorities regarding stricter oversight and enforcement measures have sent shockwaves through the market, triggering a wave of selling pressure and heightened caution among investors.

The LGBT+ community has long been underrepresented and misrepresented in mainstream media, including video games. Many games have often relied on stereotypes or used LGBTQ+ characters as punchlines, rather than fully fleshed out and authentic representations. The call for GTA 6's writers to approach LGBTQ+ content with caution reflects a broader conversation about the responsibility of game developers to accurately represent diverse identities and experiences.